Is there such a thing as your hair getting stuck in a rut? If so, that's exactly how I would describe my hair routine of late. My haircare routine neede…
Is there such a thing as your hair getting stuck in a rut? If so, that's exactly how I would describe my hair routine of late. My haircare routine needed an update. I wanted to implement new techniques to help keep my hair fresh for longer between washes and just give it a 'lift'. Maintaining the condition of your hair is a challenge at times. It's a lot of trial and error in terms of using the right products for your hair, and also knowing the condition of your hair.
After reading around and even seeing some TikTok videos about how to wash your hair and look after it properly, I put some of these habits into action, and it's honestly changed everything! My hair, because of these habits I've adopted (which I'll list in a minute), has given my hair a new lease of life.
These habits I'm about to list are things you may already be doing anyway, but some you may want to try yourself if you feel your hair needs a bit of TLC.
These are the new habits I've adopted to improve the quality of my hair:
1) Washing my hair brushes/combs daily
Something I was so inconsistent with before, but now I make sure I wash my hair brushes and combs every day to brush my hair with clean brushes. Cleaning your hair brushes daily gets rid of the dirt, product residue and oil from the scalp that has built up on the brush/comb over time. It's such a simple equation - clean brushes = clean hair. I use a little baby shampoo to clean my brushes and combs as it's gentle on the bristles. Honestly, doing this will be a game-changer for your hair!
2) Emulsifying shampoo
When I washed my hair before, I'd just apply the shampoo into my hands and then straight onto my hair. Since I've started emulsifying my shampoo before massaging it into my hair, I've noticed a difference in how my hair feels afterwards. It feels like it's had a good clean, and it doesn't get greasy as quickly in between washes. Also, rinse and repeat, guys! The first shampoo gets rid of the dirt, and the second shampoo is what really gives your hair a proper clean.
3) Using a hair mask
This is something I have never tried before (apart from Olaplex No. 3). Using a hair mask in between shampoo and conditioner is something I have never even considered before. But honestly guys, I've been using a hair mask recently and my hair has never felt so soft and shiny! Using that repair mask in between shampooing and conditioning has been a game-changer! I currently use the John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Mask, and I love how luxurious it feels when I massage it on my hair.
4) Trying not to touch my hair during the day
We all subconsciously touch our hair without knowing it. Whether it's to get it out of your eyes or we're twirling it when we're bored, we've all done it. We need to remember that our hands carry bacteria and unseen dirt throughout the day. Unless you wash your hands every 5 minutes, it's not possible to keep them clean all the time. So when you run your hands through your hair, your hair catches the bacteria and dirt, and it stays on each strand. It's a habit I'm trying to keep doing, but it's not easy.
5) Use cold-ish water when rinsing out the conditioner
Ok, when it's Winter and it's like 4 degrees outside, the last thing you want to do is allow cold water to drape your body in the shower when washing out conditioner. But it does have its benefits. I kind of use cold-ish water to rinse out my conditioner, as it has the benefit of giving your hair a healthy shine afterwards. Also, rinsing with cold water closes the hair cuticles and pore,s which allows your hair to shine.
6) Using dry shampoo correctly
Now, I know how to use dry shampoo; I've been using it for years. My mind was blown when I read Laura's post on how to use dry shampoo correctly. I did not know that you had to leave the dry shampoo on for at least 5-10 minutes for it to do its magic before massaging it in! Also, I've never even considered using a hairdryer to blow-dry it through. I don't use dry shampoo as often as I used to, only on days when I can't wash my hair until the evening, and I need my hair to look less greasy. I'm definitely going to take these tips from Laura's post on board!
7) Washing my hair less
I've trained my hair to need less washing and that's definitely helped the health of my hair. I wash my hair every six days. Years ago, I washed it every other day. My hair will thank me for that I'm sure.
These are the new hair habits I've adopted recently!
I've always said that if my hair feels and looks good, I feel good within myself. Now that I've adopted these new habits for healthier hair, I look forward to hair-washing day and don't see it as a chore. Adding, changing or even stopping the use of products on your hair is key. Sometimes, when your hair gets used to the same products, it's good to change things up.
I'd love to know your thoughts on this!
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Grief is an experience that touches everyone at some point in life, yet it remains deeply personal and often difficult to navigate. Whether it’s a close friend, a relative, or a colleague who is grieving, finding meaningful ways to offer support can be both comforting and healing for them and you. While you may not be able to take away their pain, your presence, patience, and gentle gestures can make an immeasurable difference, like turning ashes to glass.
Photo by Claire Kelly on Unsplash
In this article, we’ll explore compassionate ways to help someone through grief and consider how creating a personal tribute, such as transforming ashes into glass, can celebrate a life beautifully remembered.
Understanding the Grieving Process
Grief is not linear. It doesn’t follow a timeline, and it doesn’t always make sense. Some days may be filled with tears, others with laughter and memories, and some with an aching silence. Recognising that everyone grieves differently is the first and most important step in supporting a loved one.
Some individuals may want to talk at length about the person they’ve lost. Others may withdraw and prefer solitude. It’s essential to meet them where they are—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Listening without judgment and offering your presence without pressure gives them permission to grieve in their own way.
Practical Ways to Provide Comfort and Care
1) Be Present, Not Pushy
Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply be there. Sit with them in silence if that’s what they need. Let them cry, reminisce, or even laugh without feeling like they must “move on.” Your consistency and reliability offer a safe space in a time of overwhelming change.
2) Offer Specific Help
Rather than the well-meaning but vague “Let me know if you need anything,” offer concrete help. This could be preparing meals, helping with school runs, managing housework, or assisting with funeral arrangements. These acts can ease the daily burden and show you truly care.
3) Send a Handwritten Note
In a digital age, a handwritten note holds deep emotional value. A few heartfelt words about the person who has passed or a cherished memory can bring warmth and connection. It lets the bereaved know their loved one is remembered.
4) Check In—Not Just Now, But Later Too
Grief doesn't end after the funeral. The weeks and months following a loss can be even lonelier as life resumes for everyone else. Regular messages, calls, or visits—even if brief—can make a world of difference. Marking anniversaries or birthdays can also show your ongoing support and remembrance.
Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
Creating a Personal Tribute: Honouring Their Memory
A beautiful way to celebrate a life is by creating a personal tribute. This doesn’t need to be grand or costly; it simply needs to be meaningful.
1) Memory Books and Keepsakes
Encourage the grieving person to collect photos, letters, or stories into a memory book. Friends and family can contribute messages or anecdotes, creating a touching record of love, joy, and shared history. This can become a source of comfort during the hardest days.
2) Plant a Memorial Tree or Garden
Nature offers a healing backdrop for remembrance. Planting a tree or dedicating a small garden to the memory of a loved one allows for quiet reflection and a living, growing tribute. It’s also a wonderful way for families to gather and honour anniversaries in a peaceful setting.
3) Transforming Ashes Into Glass
For those who have chosen cremation, turning ashes into glass is an increasingly popular and touching way to keep a loved one close. Memorial glass jewellery or ornaments provide a tangible connection that can be worn or displayed with pride and sentiment.
Ashes to glass creations involve fusing a small portion of ashes with molten glass to create beautifully crafted pieces—rings, pendants, or paperweights—each one unique and personal. It’s a gentle, lasting way to carry a piece of someone’s spirit with you.
These keepsakes can also be gifted to family members, ensuring that each person has a part of their loved one to cherish in their own way. For many, ashes into glass becomes not just a tribute, but a symbol of enduring love.
Encouraging Healing Through Ritual and Reflection
Rituals help us process grief and give it shape. Whether religious or secular, personal or shared, rituals can mark milestones, offer closure, and keep memories alive.
Lighting a candle on special dates, writing letters to the deceased, or creating a photo wall at home can all help the grieving person connect with their emotions in a healthy, meaningful way.
Encourage them to reflect in whatever form feels right—journaling, talking with a counsellor, or engaging in creative outlets like painting, music, or poetry. Healing isn’t about forgetting; it’s about learning to carry love and loss together.
Helping Children Through Grief
If children are part of the grieving process, they will need extra reassurance, stability, and age-appropriate explanations. Help them express themselves through drawing, storytelling, or play. Be honest in your language, and avoid euphemisms that might confuse or frighten them.
Children also benefit from rituals and keepsakes. A small ashes-to-glass pendant or a soft toy that holds memories can help them stay connected and feel secure.
When to Encourage Professional Support
Grief can sometimes become overwhelming or prolonged in a way that affects a person’s ability to function day to day. If your loved one seems stuck in despair, is withdrawing from life, or shows signs of depression, it may be time to gently suggest professional support. Counsellors, therapists, and support groups can offer a safe space for healing.
A Final Thought: Love Never Leaves Us
Grief is, in its truest form, an expression of love. To mourn deeply is to have loved deeply. By being there for someone in their grief, helping them find ways to honour the person they’ve lost—through rituals, reflection, or ashes to glass tributes—you help keep that love alive in new and powerful ways.
Supporting someone through grief is not about fixing the pain. It’s about walking beside them, offering your heart, your hands, and your time. And in doing so, you help carry not just the weight of sorrow—but the beauty of a life that will always be remembered.
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